Monthly Archives: September 2014

If you missed last Friday’s Public Affairs Committee (the Committee) meeting, here are the highlights:

The Committee reviewed and approved each of the seven issue committees’ Guiding Principle documents, which will now be sent to the Chamber’s Board of Directors for final approval. The Guiding Principles make up the Chamber’s Public Policy Guide for the year.

Arizonans are hard at work—doing, creating, building, and developing. The business community and community leaders are redefining and reshaping the state’s economy through tax reform, research and development grants and business retention and expansion programs.

While it’s productive that Congress reauthorized the Export-Import Bank until June, it’s vital that Congress take further action and reauthorize the bank for a longer term to provide market predictability for American companies.

The Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank—a government agency that helps finance foreign sales of U.S. goods and services—operates to aid American businesses and employers.

The foundation of every economy is the worker. To mark the 120th Labor Day, let’s appreciate our nation’s workers, employers, and every person’s ability to craft their own “American Dream.”

Looking forward, Arizona needs to build a foundation for a stronger economic future. We should plan for change; both in the businesses that employ workers and in the skills expected of graduates.

The needs of our employers are different from what they were a century ago. It’s time to retool the system to better prepare tomorrow’s workers and entrepreneurs for growing employment fields. Through sustained effort and support we can equip students with critical thinking and problem solving skills vital in an ever-developing economy. A focus on higher academic standards and outcomes along with regulatory and tax reforms that help employers and employees will build on Arizona as a world-class destination, with quality education services and jobs.